This came from " Bedford Villages Lost and Found Vol. # 3 complied by the Peaks of Otter Chapter, D A R. Bedford, Va. I have never found where or when Abner married Hannah and until I found this I didn't know her maiden name was James, still have no other proof other than this. Have found Abner and others in Sullivan Co. Tenn. 1860 census. Anything you can add to this would really be appreciated. We have a wonderful site and a whole bunch of great cousins, thanks for sharing. Ann After the Revolutionary War, Daniel James, Thomas Bandy and Abner Howell were some of the first settlers in areas of Bedford and Botetourt (now Roanoke) Counties which later became known as Neighbor's Shop. Abner served as a surveyor of roads in the area during the late 1700's. He and his wife Hannah James Howell owned a large portion of land in western Bedford County. In 1802, Thomas Bandy and Daniel James conveyed land to Mathew Pate, Charles Horn, Abner Howell, Stephen Terrel, Samuel James and James Howell, Trustees of the Blueridge Meeting House. The plot in Botetourt County was to be used for the preaching of the gospel by ministers of all religious societies. Blue Ridge Baptist Church is still in operation today and is located adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway in Roanoke County. (Abner and other family members are buried here) Jesse Howell owned large tracts of land on Sandy Run, Falling Creek and Chestnut Mountain. His land stretched from the Neighbor;s Shop area in Beardsville and into Botetourt County. One tract was described as "located on Howell's Road and Fall Creek, to the first ford, and a straight line crossing the ridge, near the draw bars, above the dwelling house, and on Wagon Road to the ford known as the Howell's Mill tract." The Howell family contributed in early settlement effort. In 1859 Abraham Howell sold one acre of land to Jeremiah Wood, John Horn and Jubal D. Meadows, trustees of a school house for$15.00. Howell School opened in the early 1860's in a one-room building. In 1800's, Washington Howell served as a notary public, a justice of the peace and commissioner of elections at nearby Cross Roads. Abner Howell (junior) served a justice of the peace in the 2nd and Chamblissburg districts of Bedford County in the mid to late 1860. Howell family reunions were popular at the Abner Howell homeplace.